Initial Teacher Training

Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance School Direct

The Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance (TSA) School Direct (SD) Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme offers a strong support network across a range of Secondary subjects and Primary placements from mainstream to Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Teaching is a highly demanding career and we want our trainees to feel supported, confident and well prepared for their future. We offer a continuum of support for our teacher's career development, including our fantastic Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) programme, the Recently Qualified Teaching (RQT) course through to middle and senior management schemes.

We work in partnership with our alliance schools (in Portsmouth, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight) and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to produce the best opportunity for outstanding graduates who plan to train to teach.

Applications open in October 2018 for SD ITT places starting September 2019. We have training places available in Portsmouth, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

In this Section

Why train with us?

School Direct Routes

Partner Schools

How do I apply?

Interview process

Programme and support

School Experience

What our trainees say

Train to Teach events

FAQs

Why train with us?

We are a highly successful teaching school with outstanding pass rates. Our strong track record means our trainees gain employment in schools. If you want to gain hands on experience then our School Direct teacher training route is for you. Our high-quality training and mentoring is at the heart of what we do. We will support you to become a confident, knowledgeable and skilled practitioner by providing excellent learning experiences matched by our support and guidance. Training in one of our alliance schools, gives you the opportunity to work with experienced teachers and mentors. We pride ourselves that our training ensures you feel part of the school community, gaining real life experiences that prepare you for the realities of teaching.

School Direct Routes

There are two pathways into School Direct teaching one is salaried and the other tuition fee. Both routes give access to either a Level 6 PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Level 7 PGCE with QTS and 60 Masters Credits.

School Direct – Salaried

An employment-based route into teaching for high quality graduates with three or more years’ career experience. The trainee is employed as an unqualified teacher by one of our partner schools and their tuition fees are paid for via a government grant.

Tuition Fee (Non-Salaried) School Direct Route

This route is where trainees pay their tuition fee (for 2019-20 £9,250). There are some generous teacher training bursaries available for Secondary shortage subject areas e.g. science, mathematics, modern languages and English. Depending on the subject area and the degree classification, trainees could get up to £30,000 tax free. Applicants can also apply for a student loan https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-and-salary/overview/postgraduate-loans

Whichever route you apply for, you will need the following:

A degree of 2.2 or above

GCSE grades C or new grade 4 or above in English and mathematics (including GCSE science for Primary). An equivalency test is available for those who do not have GCSEs.

Pass the professional skills tests in literacy and numeracy before starting the course (not before interview).